Toogood Reimagines Noritake’s Tableware Legacy at Milan Design Week 2025
In a bold celebration of heritage and creative reinvention, Toogood joins a distinguished roster of global design talents—including Ed Ng of AB Concept, Marc Newson, Yabu Pushelberg, and the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation—in redefining the world of Noritake, one of Japan’s most iconic and historic tableware makers.
Founded in 1904, Noritake revolutionised Japanese ceramics by introducing the country’s first Western-style dinner service. While the brand is now predominantly known for its contributions to industrial ceramics technology, its roots in fine porcelain and bone china remain a powerful symbol of craftsmanship and tradition. Under the stewardship of Yuichiro Hori, founder of Stellar Works and creative director at Noritake, the brand is refocusing its attention on the artistry of tabletop design with the launch of the Noritake Design Collection.
Debuting at Milan Design Week 2025 within the storied setting of Villa Borsani at Alcova, the collection presents Noritake’s legacy in a contemporary light. At the exhibition's heart is a limited-edition series by Toogood, celebrated for their poetic and sculptural approach to design. Their 14 hand-painted pieces—ranging from decadent dinner platters to elegantly tapered pitchers—are both playful and profound, balancing heritage form with contemporary abstraction.
Swirling pink brushstrokes and forest-green foliage motifs impart a postmodern fairytale quality to the collection. Each piece is crafted using original shapes sourced from Noritake’s century-old moulds, bridging past and present through a vivid language of colour and form. A standout is the limited run of 111 platters, showcasing both hand-painted and decal roses—a motif that Toogood playfully reclaims, unveiling its layered symbolism with a nod to both beauty and stereotype.
Photography:Stefan Dotter
Energetic, joyful, and deeply considered, the collaboration serves as a striking testament to the power of reinterpretation. Through Toogood’s lens, Noritake’s storied craftsmanship is not merely preserved but reawakened—transforming the everyday act of dining into a truly artistic experience once more.